Silver River Wilderness Area

Overview

Large river, lake, and forest tract in the headwaters of the Tusket River

Ecological Values

Best remaining opportunity to create a representative protected area in the Tusket River Dumlins Natural Landscape

Helps provide long-term conservation for Tusket River by protetcing a wide forest corridor along two of its headwater rivers and several km of headwater streams

Many impressive stands of old eastern hemlock, red spruce, white pine, and tolerant hardwood forest

Habitat for provincially endangered mainland moose and nesting beaches for provincially vulnerable snapping turtle

Large wetlands

Outdoor Recreation Values

Over 35 km of traditional canoe routes on Silver River system

Popular area for hunting, camping, and other outdoor recreation

Forestry Values

Some mature softwood, mixedwood, and hardwood

Includes some former industrial timberlands, including treated stands, plantations, and access roads

Other Resource Values

Medium mineral potential

Low petroleum potential

Low wind potential

Conditions

Designation of a portion (978 ha) near New France pending further discussion with Nature Conservancy of Canada

Exclusions and Vehicle Access

Selected roads and access points excluded, including:

• North Kempt Rd
• William Randall Rd
• access to Salmon Lake, Little Salmon Lake, and Salmon Lake Brook
• access to Crown lands north of Grass Lake
• main north-south former Irving road and old (former Bowater) road along west side of Silver River
• access to camping areas below Barrios Lake
• old road to New France on west side of Silver River
• Cranberry Lake Rd over Silver River
• access to Little Barrios Lake

Additional Comments

1,415 ha near Kemptville previously proposed for protection to be managed as unprotected Crown land